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Coercion by the Orthodox minority in Israel

Cohen-Almagor, Raphael LU orcid (2024) p.86-114
Abstract

In Israel, the Orthodox minority enforces its conception of the good on Israeli-Jews, many of whom do not share their set of beliefs. This is the result of lack of separation between state and religion and the monopoly enjoyed by the Orthodoxy to decide personal matters. Since its establishment in 1948, Israel has been struggling to reconcile the tension between its being a democracy and retaining the Jewish character of the state. These values are not easily reconcilable. As a result of the inbuilt tensions, basic civic and human rights are undermined. First, the chapter explains the composition of the Israeli-Jewish population and the main bones of contention. Section 5.3 explains why Israel adopted the Ottoman millet system to govern... (More)

In Israel, the Orthodox minority enforces its conception of the good on Israeli-Jews, many of whom do not share their set of beliefs. This is the result of lack of separation between state and religion and the monopoly enjoyed by the Orthodoxy to decide personal matters. Since its establishment in 1948, Israel has been struggling to reconcile the tension between its being a democracy and retaining the Jewish character of the state. These values are not easily reconcilable. As a result of the inbuilt tensions, basic civic and human rights are undermined. First, the chapter explains the composition of the Israeli-Jewish population and the main bones of contention. Section 5.3 explains why Israel adopted the Ottoman millet system to govern its institutions. The millet system serves the interests of the religious minority well. Section 5.4 discusses discrimination against secular and non-Orthodox Jews. Section 5.5 relates to discrimination against women in a number of spheres. It is argued that Judaism and liberal democracy are irreconcilable. A pertinent distinction is made between the symbolic aspects of religion and the modus operandi of religion. As far as the latter are concerned, it is argued (Section 5.6) that separation between State and religion should be achieved; otherwise coercive State interventions in intimate private matters are unavoidable. Such interventions trigger frustration and resentment.

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Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
organization
publishing date
type
Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding
publication status
published
subject
host publication
Multicultural Citizenship : Legacy and Critique - Legacy and Critique
pages
29 pages
publisher
Taylor & Francis
external identifiers
  • scopus:85210459956
ISBN
9781040225998
9781032564982
DOI
10.4324/9781003435853-5
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
2ef8f742-625d-4672-834c-39ccdbc4a441
date added to LUP
2025-01-15 13:16:01
date last changed
2025-07-17 04:23:05
@inbook{2ef8f742-625d-4672-834c-39ccdbc4a441,
  abstract     = {{<p>In Israel, the Orthodox minority enforces its conception of the good on Israeli-Jews, many of whom do not share their set of beliefs. This is the result of lack of separation between state and religion and the monopoly enjoyed by the Orthodoxy to decide personal matters. Since its establishment in 1948, Israel has been struggling to reconcile the tension between its being a democracy and retaining the Jewish character of the state. These values are not easily reconcilable. As a result of the inbuilt tensions, basic civic and human rights are undermined. First, the chapter explains the composition of the Israeli-Jewish population and the main bones of contention. Section 5.3 explains why Israel adopted the Ottoman millet system to govern its institutions. The millet system serves the interests of the religious minority well. Section 5.4 discusses discrimination against secular and non-Orthodox Jews. Section 5.5 relates to discrimination against women in a number of spheres. It is argued that Judaism and liberal democracy are irreconcilable. A pertinent distinction is made between the symbolic aspects of religion and the modus operandi of religion. As far as the latter are concerned, it is argued (Section 5.6) that separation between State and religion should be achieved; otherwise coercive State interventions in intimate private matters are unavoidable. Such interventions trigger frustration and resentment.</p>}},
  author       = {{Cohen-Almagor, Raphael}},
  booktitle    = {{Multicultural Citizenship : Legacy and Critique}},
  isbn         = {{9781040225998}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  month        = {{01}},
  pages        = {{86--114}},
  publisher    = {{Taylor & Francis}},
  title        = {{Coercion by the Orthodox minority in Israel}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.4324/9781003435853-5}},
  doi          = {{10.4324/9781003435853-5}},
  year         = {{2024}},
}